Almost every cyclist at least once carried his bike in an electric train. This is a fairly common way to move this type of transport. However, problems and misunderstandings often arise between the railway staff and the cyclists themselves regarding the competent transportation of bikes. Often, the controllers themselves can not say whether to pay for the bike in the train, and how much it costs. Some even argue that transporting a two-wheeled device for commuter trains is prohibited in any form.
Planning a trip
Before you get ready for the journey, you must determine the main points for yourself. First of all, you should study the rules of travel on trains (more on this below) and take care of a cover for your bike (it may come in handy). If not, you can bring along a cling film or a long piece of cloth. According to the rules, dirty things cannot be transported, so special attention will be paid to the bike in this regard.
Asked how much it costs to transport a bicycle in an electric train, determine the final station, prepare the amount in advance so as not to run around the platform, paying for the missing ticket.
Luggage gum is also better to have with you. These are cords in a fabric braid. They have powerful metal hooks at the ends. If it is necessary to fix the bike close to the wall of the car, such devices can be used to attach your vehicle to the seat handles. Rubber bands can also play the role of a parking brake.
Remember that the rules for transporting bicycles in trains indicate the need to purchase another ticket, which will be confirmation of payment for the transportation of such baggage. By the way, for several years in the daytime in the electric trains of Moscow and Moscow Region, a free fare for travel with a bike has been in effect. The cost of transporting a bicycle in the St. Petersburg train did not affect these innovations.
It’s not worth it to pile in one carriage, especially if the stop lasts for a few minutes. If you are traveling in a company, spread out on the platform, sitting in several wagons. If in principle, you can already get together on the train. And landing a group of cyclists in one car is a sure way to create a queue and set up all passengers against themselves.
If you do not have a bicycle repair kit, you should consider purchasing it before traveling by train with a bike. It may be needed to disassemble and assemble the vehicle, strengthen some of its parts.
We pay the fare
When planning a bicycle ride on an electric train, you need to learn some rules. And this is very important. There is a special document that contains information about the competent transportation of the bike.
The passenger is the person who makes the trip with a valid travel document. Accordingly, having made a certain fee, the passenger gets the right to carry with him in the train hand luggage weighing up to 36 kg and dimensions not exceeding 180 cm. In this case, all three measurements are summed up.
The cost of transporting a bicycle in an electric train depends on many parameters. The main thing is the terrain. Each region of the Russian Federation has its own transportation cost. It is also necessary to note the distance: the further you need to go, the more expensive the trip will cost.
We remember the rules for transporting bicycles in trains
Here is the main thing to remember when traveling by train with a bicycle:
- You have the right to carry hand luggage up to 36 kg for one purchased ticket, the dimensions of which do not go beyond 180 cm in the sum of three dimensions.
- additionally paying, you can transport up to 50 kg. Dimensional items, such as a pram, are already included here. Naturally, it must be packed and have the same dimensions as the hand luggage described above.
- In addition, you can transport small pets, sports equipment, bicycles. But the cost of transporting such overall items is set by the road management.
At the same time, passengers are prohibited from:
- ride without a boarding ticket;
- carry in hand luggage, which can damage the property of the railway or stain other passengers and their belongings.
We go to the station
In general, problems may arise even before entering the train - at the turnstiles. It is in this place that the controllers show their discontent most. If you make a comment and try to offer to buy a ticket for the bike, you can safely disconnect the front wheel and turn the bike into carry-on baggage. After entering the train, if necessary, you can put the wheel in place.
We sit in the train
In the Russian suburban rolling stock there are no places for bikes and their placement. Therefore, cyclists are forced to improvise.
In the absence of things in the trunk, the best option is to hang the bike by the seat to the upper luggage rack. In order to avoid falling, make sure that the seatpost is tightened by an eccentric. This method appeals to controllers, since they practically do not notice the tales.
Another method of transporting a bicycle in an electric train is to install it in places where there is no part of the seats. If a group of several people is traveling, it is better to arrange the bikes in a “checkerboard” order: if one stands with the rear wheel to the exit, then the second must be placed front.
You can simply turn the bike over and place it between the seats. This option should be considered if it is not possible to implement the first two methods.
In the car, where the seats are in a solid row, and a group is traveling, you can place three bikes at the bottom - this will be a support. From above, if necessary, you can install two or three more bicycles, which, of course, is undesirable. In the upright position, the bike can be placed with the rear wheels on the seats.
Choose the best time to travel. It is better not to ride a train with electric bicycles during peak hours when it’s difficult to climb into the vestibule, not to mention the impossibility of getting into the car, especially with a bicycle. It is better to choose a daylight hours when the cabin is not so crowded. Then you will reach your destination without much difficulty and incredulous glances. If you still can’t avoid the crowds, a bike cover will come in handy when transporting the bike. Pack your vehicle in it and place it in a line along the aisle as close to the seats as possible.
If you are lucky, you can get on a train where there is a special carriage for transporting bicycles. This is a very convenient option, but in Russian conditions it’s almost unrealistic.
How else can I get a bike?
You can transport the bike in the vestibule, and when assembled. This allows the law. It is important to fulfill only one condition - only one bicycle should fall on one wagon. But in this way it is strongly not recommended to transport the bike. Here you will constantly interfere with incoming and outgoing passengers. In addition, the controllers tracking free riders constantly go between the cars, and because of this, you will be forced to constantly change the place yourself.
A big problem here will also be those who want to smoke, who regularly go out into the vestibule and can touch the bike. Then the cost of transporting a bicycle in an electric train will become too high for you. And a constantly slamming door can injure not only you, but also your two-wheeled companion.
If there is no way to “park”, remember that the first and last train cars are “impassable”, there is practically no constant flow of people.
We insure risks
If you manage to place the bike in the car, you must put it on the brake. To this end, you can use a specially prepared wide elastic band. The brake handle must be pulled to the steering wheel with its help, which excludes the possibility of the bicycle moving during transportation.
To summarize
Passenger - a person making a trip, having bought a travel document either at the station shortly before the train departure, or in advance. Transporting a bicycle in an electric train is not an impossible mission. For everything to go well, it is only important to follow simple rules:
- pay for travel;
- to understand that not everyone likes your hand luggage (bike) in a carriage;
- be correct and polite.
A separate ticket has been introduced for the bike. That is, in order to transport a bicycle in the St. Petersburg train, you will have to buy a travel document both for yourself (passenger) and for your bike (luggage). The ticket price is 50 rubles per 100 km.
subject to these simple tips, traveling on a commuter train will be a simple and enjoyable journey for you.